Republican hardliners in both chambers are holding their tongues over Mitt Romney’s plan to grant qualified illegal immigrants legal status and even U.S. citizenship.

Similar proposals in the past have led to charges from these conservatives that the beneficiaries would be rewarded with “amnesty” after entering the country illegally…

Yet 24 hours after Romney, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, outlined a broad proposal extending permanent residency to some illegal immigrants — and creating a pathway to citizenship for others — those same Republicans have been uncharacteristically silent on the idea.

Lamar Smith – about whom I have had doubts – actually praised the plan although he

…blasted the administration’s recent executive action allowing some illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to stay and work, saying it’s “amnesty” that will “further diminish job opportunities for Hispanics struggling to find a job.”

which The Hill correctly noted was contradictory.

Steve King was more intellectually coherent:

…telling The Wall Street Journal that he’s happy to see Romney advocating for tougher enforcement policies at the border. While King said he has questions about some parts of the plan, according to the Journal, he also expressed confidence that Romney is “committed to the rule of law.”

The offices of a number of other immigration hardliners —including Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), and Reps. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) and Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.) – did not respond to requests for comment on Romney’s plan…

I do not understand why these Congresscritters are so cowardly. Criticizing Romney would actually improve his credentials as a moderate. Presumably they are afraid of the Treason Lobby’s wholly owned subsidiary, the GOP Congressional Leadership.